As we celebrate Christmas this week, I am personally thankful for many things. 2020 has been a tough year that most of us will not forget.

Near the beginning of 2020, I sat down to write a short “President’s Message,” to appear as an introduction to the Chamber’s annual magazine and relocation guide. I have written a similar message each of the nearly 10 years I have had the privilege of working for the Chamber and the members we serve, but this issue of the magazine was special in that it would commemorate the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce’s 100th Anniversary.

As you read this, we will be basically one week out from Christmas. Hard to believe, but that blessed and magical time of the year has really arrived as a hopeful respite from the anger and frustrations surrounding COVID-19, elections, the pipeline and the alternate truck route.

I love Christmas. I mean really, love Christmas. I look forward to Advent all year long for spiritual reasons and because of a special happiness I feel so intensely the very moment the Thanksgiving turkey makes its curtain call and I can begin hauling holiday decorations into the house.

Each day in December, the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce is featuring its members as part of a “shop local” campaign called Fab-YULE-ous Finds. “Now, more than ever, it is important for Gillespie County residents to shop local,” said Chamber President Penny C.

Many hospitality industry partners are working on budgets for the new year. Most people will be happy to turn the calendar to 2021! So, the big question is — what do we expect in the tourism arena moving forward over the next few weeks and into 2021? If you have been in the hospitality business a while, you know that the third weekend of December is when we typically see a slowing of holiday tourism business.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I required tutoring assistance to make it through the two semesters of economics that were required as part my college degree program. But nonetheless, I would like to float an idea.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines advent as “a coming into being or use.” Another definition says “the arrival of a notable person, thing or event.” This past Sunday, many Christians around the world began the first season of their church year — Advent. The four Sundays before Christmas are a time of preparation and anticipation of the arrival of Christ in the manger in Bethlehem.

Traditions are a curious thing. Our perceptions of and fervor around them often have more to do with our own recent memory than actual historical, cultural or religious origin.